Apple TV, new Roku Ultra, or new Google Chromecast?

[Howyalikdemapls]

We are an Apple family but on principle I don’t like buying three year old tech, so I’ve pretty much written off the current Apple TV. We’ve had a free subscription to Apple TV+ (I think it came with my iPhone 11) but we haven’t used it even once, so I don’t care about that. My wife is interested in Fitness+ though and would like to watch it on a large screen while she works out. Given our situation, would you buy the new Google chromecast that will be announced tomorrow, the new Roku Ultra that will be available in a couple of weeks, or wait for the next generation of Apple TV? I suppose I’m leaning towards the chromecast since it’s cheap and we’ll probably get the Apple TV once it is announced since my experience with chromecasts at hotels has always just been kinda annoying. I still don’t want to throw away $50 for no reason though, and I imagine we would overall be happier with the Roku Ultra for routine non-Fitness+ use, but at $100 it may mean we don’t buy the Apple TV when it gets announced. Some rumors say it’ll come out next month while other rumors say it’ll be a full 12 months from now. Should we keep waiting with hopes of a new Apple TV or purchase one of the other devices for now? Thoughts?

 

[Rigby]

Nobody outside Apple knows when a new ATV will come out, so you'll have to keep guessing like the rest of us.

Regarding the new Google device, reportedly it will be more similar to existing Android TV boxes than a Chromecast. I think it will probably be a good choice.

Regarding Roku I'd be hesitant, since HBO Max is not available for Roku. Also, does it have to be the Ultra? Why not a Premiere for 40 bucks?

 

[davcole]

I'll get Chromecast

 

[Juicy Box]

but on principle I don’t like buying three year old tech, so I’ve pretty much written off the current Apple TV.

I think you or someone else said something similar on another thread, and I just don't understand why.

Even at three years old, the ATV4K is still way better than the other devices. The A10X alone runs circles around the chips that the competitors use.

There isn't any apps on tvOS that really fully utilize the potential of the A10X, so it isn't like the HW is outdated.

I said this before, choosing a new inferior device over the Apple TV because the age of the ATV is like saying one should choose a 2020 Hyundai Accent over a 2017 Tesla Model S because the 2020 Accent has newer technology.

If you said go for the 2020 Accent because all you do is use it to get groceries, this would be understandable, but not because of technology.

The price of the ATV4K is totally worth it for the HW, but a much better question would be if paying the $180 for an ATV4K is worth it when there are a bunch of much cheaper devices that can basically do what the ATV4K is currently doing?

The ATV4K is capable of much more than what it currently is doing, but for now, it pretty much is just a streaming box. While the other streaming boxes are not as fast and have crappy UI, once in the apps, they are very similar in experience, and they are a fraction of the price of the ATV4K.

Some rumors say it’ll come out next month while other rumors say it’ll be a full 12 months from now.

No one knows for sure. It could come out tomorrow, or never.

Apple doesn't really seem to care about the ATV nor tvOS, and it is hardly a priority for them.

Should we keep waiting with hopes of a new Apple TV or purchase one of the other devices for now?

If you need something now, get something now. If anything, just get a cheap Firestick to hold you over until something better comes out.

If you can wait, I would wait a while a see.

 

[seinman]

Roku Streaming Stick+ is a fantastic device at the $50 price point. Unless you are an HBO subscriber. But if you aren't, my suggestion stands.

 

[Rigby]

First reviews are out for the new Google TV device. Looks pretty good, especially for $50. 4K Dolby Vision, voice remote, and a cross-app watchlist similar to the Apple TV app. I'd say it's probably the best choice right now if you don't want an ATV ... unless you want to watch ATV+ or purchased iTunes content, because the Apple TV app is currently not available for Google TV. All the other major apps including HBO Max are available though.

 

[nutmac]

Chance of new Apple TV launching at the iPhone event is pretty slim. Spring 2021 is looking like a likely timeframe for updated Apple TV with faster processor, larger storage, redesigned remote control with U1, and more.

I personally wouldn't buy Apple TV at full price either, but if you can find one at generous discount, it may offset these rumored improvements.

If I was forced to pick non-Apple products, I would probably wait for Amazon Prime day and get Fire TV as it supports wider range of streaming services than Google and with nicer UI than Roku.

 

[Macalicious2011]

Chromecast with Google TV looks amazing. The youtube and Netflix shortcut buttons are brilliant perks.

I have Chromecast 2 hooked up go the TV in the office and will pick up the new Chromecast on eBay. I wish the UK price was closer to the UK one.

Other than that, the hardware and software are knockouts

 

[oneMadRssn]

We are an Apple family but on principle I don’t like buying three year old tech

Meh, this is a reason to not pay full retail price, not a reason to avoid buying it. Plenty of mint condition Apple TVs for sale on the usual sites, or the newest ATV is pretty regularly on sale at the usual electronics stores/sites if you're willing to wait a bit for a discount, or hop on trackrefurbished.com to be notified when you can get one in the refurb store.

Three year old tech or not, it's still the absolute best experience.

 

[Juicy Box]

First reviews are out for the new Google TV device. Looks pretty good, especially for $50.

The youtube and Netflix shortcut buttons are brilliant perks.

Does Chromecast still require a phone or device to stream from and operate it?

I have one of the first ones in a box somewhere, I bought it just to give it a try when Best Buy had them on sale for $20ish, and just hated that I needed my phone for everything.

If I was forced to pick non-Apple products, I would probably wait for Amazon Prime day and get Fire TV as it supports wider range of streaming services than Google and with nicer UI than Roku.

I agree. This was exactly what I did for my kid's TVs when they started using apps that wasn't available on the ATV3s they had.

While the UI on the Fire devices is horrible, and they are kind of slow, (sometimes painfully), they are really cheap, especially on Prime Day.

I think I got some Firesticks and a FireTV. I think the Firesticks on Prime Day was only $20. That is a throwaway price, imo. If anything, it could hold you over until you find something else you would like.

 

[Rigby]

Does Chromecast still require a phone or device to stream from and operate it?

No. This one has a real remote-controlled user interface similar to other streaming boxes.

 

[JeffPerrin]

Apple TV all the way! Once the new one comes out, move the old one to another TV. (We have 3 in use - all different generations.) However, I understand about not wanting to buy (expensive) old tech, so I'd suggest buying the cheapest streaming stick option and using that until the next gen Apple TV comes out.

 

[HDFan]

We are an Apple family but on principle I don’t like buying three year old tech,

So feature does it not have that you need?

My wife is interested in Fitness+ though and would like to watch it on a large screen while she works out.

You have to have an Apple TV, or a TV or TV feeding device that supports airplay, right? Would the other devices work?

Even at three years old, the ATV4K is still way better than the other devices. The A10X alone runs circles around the chips that the competitors use.

There isn't any apps on tvOS that really fully utilize the potential of the A10X, so it isn't like the HW is outdated.

I said this before, choosing a new inferior device over the Apple TV because the age of the ATV is like saying one should choose a 2020 Hyundai Accent over a 2017 Tesla Model S because the 2020 Accent has newer technology.

Agree. But I would wait until the October event before purchasing, otherwise it will be months and there is no use waiting.

 

[Macalicious2011]

No. This one has a real remote-controlled user interface similar to other streaming boxes.

I really like the didicsted youtube and netflix button. Most crucially I am keen on using Google assistant with much more ease and accuracy than Siri which remains aweful.

 

[Rigby]

I really like the didicsted youtube and netflix button. Most crucially I am keen on using Google assistant with much more ease and accuracy than Siri which remains aweful.

I only use Siri on the ATV to search for movies, and I have to say in that context it works pretty much perfectly for me. Also, I'm not a fan of buttons dedicated to specific streaming services, because they are often not useful for me (for example, I never watch Youtube on my streaming box). They should be programmable ...

 

[BuddyRich]

I only use Siri on the ATV to search for movies, and I have to say in that context it works pretty much perfectly for me. Also, I'm not a fan of buttons dedicated to specific streaming services, because they are often not useful for me (for example, I never watch Youtube on my streaming box). They should be programmable ...

How ironic is it that Netflix decided to integrate nicely into Google's content aggregation/watchlist app, yet has refused to so for the past three years to integrate with the Apple TV app, citing privacy issues. Yet they just did with Google?

 

[Rigby]

How ironic is it that Netflix decided to integrate nicely into Google's content aggregation/watchlist app, yet has refused to so for the past three years to integrate with the Apple TV app, citing privacy issues. Yet they just did with Google?

Is Netflix fully integrated, i.e. does it automatically update Google's watchlist if you e.g. watch a movie from the list? The Apple TV app can also manage Netflix content, but the Netflix app does not update its watchlist.

 

[Audit13]

I'm getting the Sabrina Chromecast to add to my collection of streaming devices because of the 4k DV support for Google Movies and YouTube. None of my other Android devices do 4k and DV (only HDR from the Shield and LG app) for Google. apps

 

[BuddyRich]

Is Netflix fully integrated, i.e. does it automatically update Google's watchlist if you e.g. watch a movie from the list? The Apple TV app can also manage Netflix content, but the Netflix app does not update its watchlist.

It looks like it can according to reviews but I'd wait and see how it is in the wild when its released.

As to ATV TV App integration -> not being automated defeats the point.

Also about 3 months ago, despite being a launch partner for universal search, the only results that shows up in the TV app as available to "Open in Netflix" are Netflix Originals now.

I tried Community which is in a few Apps. Or the movie Venom. Both are in Netflix but have no option to open in netflix for them.

That said Stranger THings or Orange is the New Black do work fine.

This used to work fine (and in fact it was the Netflix Originals that used to be missing).

Play in Netflix now works with the TV app

The TV app on iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV is rolling out some level of support for Netflix. It's about time!

www.imore.com

 

[Rigby]

It looks like it can according to reviews but I'd wait and see how it is in the wild when its released.

As to ATV TV App integration -> not being automated defeats the point.

Well, I'm an on/off Netflix subscriber and use the ATV watchlist to keep track of stuff I want to watch when I resubscribe. It's fine for that.

If Netflix has full integration with Google TV that would be surprising, since they have so far refused to actively support aggregators.

 

[Macalicious2011]

I'm getting the Sabrina Chromecast to add to my collection of streaming devices because of the 4k DV support for Google Movies and YouTube. None of my other Android devices do 4k and DV (only HDR from the Shield and LG app) for Google. apps

Today I ready a rumour that the Apple TV app will come to the Xbox. If that's true then I will be delighted as I have pre ordered an Xbox Series X which I would,be keen to use as a media streaming device in the office.

I only use Siri on the ATV to search for movies, and I have to say in that context it works pretty much perfectly for me.

Siri does work well for movies but is not good for searching youtube or other apps for names or artists, shows or places with obscure names. It would be hilarious of apple allowed users to switch choose between Siri and Google assistant.

 

[Audit13]

Today I ready a rumour that the Apple TV app will come to the Xbox. If that's true then I will be delighted as I have pre ordered an Xbox Series X which I would,be keen to use as a media streaming device in the office.

Wow, that would be pretty sweet. Only boxes left would be the Shield TV, PS5, and Chromecast.

 

[seezar]

Wow, that would be pretty sweet. Only boxes left would be the Shield TV, PS5, and Chromecast.

It’s been reported that Apple TV app is also coming to PlayStation as well as Xbox.

[Update: PlayStation too] Report: Apple working with Microsoft to bring Apple TV app to Xbox consoles - 9to5Mac

Over the last few years, we’ve seen Apple open up its software by allowing third-party hardware to run Apple TV...

9to5mac.com

 

[cwerdna]

For those in the US, https://store.google.com/config/chromecast_google_tv has a $90 version of the new one w/remote that includes 6 months of Netflix 2 stream plan (current value $77.94). It was OOS for awhile but right now two colors are in stock. Is a pretty good deal if you plan to continue subscribing to Netflix.

I ordered one late last night/early this morning but the ETA won't be until end of October.

 

[Jus711]

The price of the ATV4K is totally worth it for the HW, but a much better question would be if paying the $180 for an ATV4K is worth it when there are a bunch of much cheaper devices that can basically do what the ATV4K is currently doing?

The ATV4K is capable of much more than what it currently is doing, but for now, it pretty much is just a streaming box. While the other streaming boxes are not as fast and have crappy UI, once in the apps, they are very similar in experience, and they are a fraction of the price of the ATV4K.

I’d add that the video and audio processing of the ATV4K beats the other streaming boxes (maybe Nvidia Shield comes close but it costs the same as ATV). I have a fire tv cube, xiaomi box (Android Tv), webOS through native TV apps all hooked up to my TV along with the ATV4K and the ATV4K beats them all handily in video and audio processing along with a much better interface. I’ve messed around with a Roku and it also fell short in this area. Whether or not that’s worth the $100+ premium is up to the individual consumer and whether or not they have the other HT equipment to take advantage of it. I waited until I could get the ATV4K at a discount but once I tested it I was surprised at how much of a difference it made.